Every year for the last several years AYC has held the Fleet Challenge.

Not only is this event a chance for each Fleet at AYC to flex their muscle on the water, but it is also the most important fund raising opportunity for the AYC Fund each year. Each fleet at AYC races in FJ’s and raises money for the AYC Fund in head to head competition. The 2018 event is scheduled for SAT. TBD

Here are four ways to support sailing by making a donation. Our goal is to create an endowment with ongoing earnings used to fund grants for Texas sailors who have a dream. The AYC Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and your donations are tax deductible.

You can donate online using a credit card or by mailing a check (payable to “Austin Yacht Club Fund” and mailed to: Austin Community Foundation, P.O. Box 5159, Austin, TX 78763).

All donations are processed through our partner, the Austin Community Foundation, a non-profit group providing support to more than 800 community organizations in Central Texas. Donations can be given anonymously or in Honor or a Memorial of someone.

Here are some ways to structure your support. Please email info@aycfund.org if you’d like to discuss.

1. Cash Donations are the easiest and most immediate way to show your support. It’s quick to donate online, and for less than you spend on your cable bill each year you could provide a young sailor with a new sail for a national event.

2. Year-End Giving: Making a donation before the end of the year is a great way to wrap up your sailing season. To learn more, see what your friends at the IRS say about year-end giving.

3. Corporate Matching is an easy way to double your support. Just ask your company if they will match your donation to a 501(c)3 organization. Central Texas companies like 3M, AMD, IBM and National Instruments have matching programs, so check with your HR department.

4. Planned Giving is a good way to take advantage of tax-savings and support sailing for years to come. You could include AYC Fund in your will, or you could consider naming AYC Fund as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy. Other future gifts can be funded with cash, real estate, appreciated securities, a variety of trusts, including charitable remainder trusts or personal property, such as collectors’ items, antiques or art. See the Austin Community Foundation’s site for more info on planned giving.